2.2 Million Ex-Smokers in England Embrace Vaping, Study Reveals

Ex-Smokers in England Turn to Vaping in Droves

In a surprising twist on smoking cessation trends, a study spearheaded by researchers from University College London (UCL) has shed light on an intriguing shift: about 2.2 million people in England, who managed to kick the smoking habit long ago, have picked up e-cigarettes instead. Published in *BMC Medicine*, the research delves into data collected from October 2013 through May 2024 and reveals that a whopping one in five ex-smokers are now avid users of vaping products.

Lead author, Dr. Sarah Jackson, highlighted a key discovery: the proportion of ex-smokers turning to vapes grew sharply, especially among younger generations. This mirrors an overall uptick in e-cigarette usage as a tool to quit smoking, rocketing from 27% of quit attempts in 2013 to 41% by 2024. It raises eyebrows, however, how such products are enticing individuals who had abstained from nicotine for quite a while.

Professor Lion Shahab, the study's senior author, cautioned about an ambiguity that still lingers: does long-term vaping actually lower the risk of smoking again, or does its resemblance to smoking increase the chances of relapse? Either way, it's a question that invites more in-depth exploration.

The Demographic Divide

Breaking down demographics, the researchers identified that heavy drinkers are more inclined towards this modern nicotine delivery method. An age disparity is also apparent, with a significant 59% of 18-year-olds reportedly vaping, compared to a mere 11% of those aged 65 and above.

The insights come from the Smoking Toolkit Study, a thorough survey of 54,251 adults, offering a rich pool of data. As vaping continues to gain momentum, these findings press for more research to unveil the long-term implications of vaping—specifically, its role in potentially curbing or rekindling an ex-smoker's old flame.